Chapter 875

First Volume, Chapter 875: The True Target

Chen Tian froze in shock, then his heart shot straight to his throat; without a moment's hesitation, he sprinted back.

At the same time, the entrance to the County Yamen was in chaos.

Qin Feng held a bowl of boiled beans, gulping them down in large mouthfuls; Ning Hu and Liu Ming had tried to persuade him a few times, but when it was useless, they each scooped a bowl and stood beside Qin Feng, chewing loudly.

The bystanders among the common folk showed no reaction—after all, boiled beans were just a family banquet to them.

In these times, how many ordinary people could even afford millet? A bowl of beans to fill their stomachs was more than enough.

But the Yamen Runners were terrified, clustering around Qin Feng, pleading with him ceaselessly.

"Lord Qin, you are of noble blood—how can you eat such things?"

"My Lord, these beans are for the common folk; your dinner has already been prepared—please proceed to the Inner Courtyard."

"Please, don't eat them—if the County Magistrate finds out, we'll all be punished."

All the Yamen Runners present wore mournful faces, begging endlessly—but Qin Feng gave not a single reply.

Standing nearby, Zhou Bantou watched Qin Feng among the common folk, eating boiled beans without a care, and inwardly cursed aloud.

Who prepared this dinner? Are they mad?!

Knowing Lord Qin was present, they still served him this trash!

Though boiled beans were perfectly adequate for ordinary folk—many couldn't even get a proper meal, and a bowl of beans was a blessing—

Yet this food was simply unfit for Da Yao Zhi Tang.

Not even Lord Qin—any wealthy household would sneer at boiled beans; beans were mostly used to feed livestock!

Watching Qin Feng finish half the bowl, Zhou Bantou felt a wave of despair, sighing inwardly: "It's over—everything's over!"

"All the goodwill we've painstakingly built within and without the County Yamen—gone, wiped out by this one bowl of boiled beans."

At that moment, Chen Tian arrived, panting heavily.

Seeing the boiled beans in Qin Feng's hand, Chen Tian's blood turned half-cold.

"What in the world is going on?!"

"Wasn't dinner prepared for Lord Qin?!"

"You damned fools!"

Chen Tian flew into a rage, grabbing Zhou Bantou by the collar and bellowing: "How dare you treat Lord Qin with such disrespect?!"

Zhou Bantou, on the verge of tears, hurriedly explained: "My Lord, I had no knowledge of this!"

At that moment, Qin Feng waved his hand, signaling Chen Tian not to worry.

He finished the remaining beans in one gulp, set the bowl aside, and smiled lightly: "County Magistrate Chen, these beans may be tasteless, but they fill the stomach well enough—don't take it to heart. After all, if the common folk can eat them, why can't I?"

Hearing this, Chen Tian shoved Zhou Bantou aside and hurried to Qin Feng's side, bowing deeply.

"My Lord, I was completely unaware of this."

"Beforehand, I ordered the cook to prepare millet and meat broth—though the grain was coarse and unrefined, steamed it still fills the belly; the broth had no meat, but plenty of oil—it quenches thirst, warms the body, and restores strength."

"After all, with so many mouths to feed, even if they gorged themselves, they could only manage one meal. Better to ration than to gorge."

"As for why the steamed millet became boiled beans—I have no idea."

Hearing Chen Tian's explanation, Qin Feng nodded with a smile, satisfied with the food he'd prepared for the common folk.

After all, this was Northern Di—materials were scarce; even if funds could be allocated according to Beixi standards, food could not be demanded beyond reason.

Steamed millet with meat broth was cheap and practical—Chen Tian had indeed made an effort.

Qin Feng looked at the large pot of boiled beans beside him and sighed.

"These beans can fill the stomach, but the only downside is they cause bloating—if you eat them until full, you won't dare move, let alone work. If you eat only half-full, you lack strength to labor—it's a damned dilemma."

"But then again—shouldn't these beans be reserved first for Warhorses? Why have they become the common folk's food?"

"If the Warhorses' grain has been eaten by the common folk, then where did the millet meant for the people go?"

At these words, Chen Tian's back instantly drenched in cold sweat.

Though Qin Feng was not a Northern Di Official, his close ties to Jing Ci Princess meant that one word from him, and a Beijing Official would descend to investigate—Chen Tian's official hat would be lost for sure.

And Chen Tian knew well—he had issued the order; the only person in the County Yamen who could override it was his wife.

That damned woman—she's always stirring up trouble!

Chen Tian didn't dare delay—he dropped to one knee: "I dare not deceive Lord Qin—it must be my wife, unwilling to part with the millet, substituted beans to cut corners. Women are short-sighted and foolish—please, My Lord, show mercy and don't hold her petty ways against me."

Without even thinking, it was clear the County Magistrate's Wife was behind this.

Qin Feng didn't press further, speaking solemnly: "County Magistrate Chen, to be honest, you're one of the more decent men in Changshui County."

"If so, I'll ask you for a favor—straight from the heart."

"These laborers are vital to me—if you neglect them, you're deliberately sabotaging my Great Plan."

"Since I began hiring laborers, how many troubles have arisen in Changshui County? Forced conscription of laborers, withheld labor cost, now this bean deception—it all looks like deliberate opposition to me. I must ask: are you an Eagle Faction remnant? Otherwise, why would you provoke me—what benefit do you gain?"

Chen Tian was already drenched in sweat; though not a Beijing Official, he'd heard the whispers—Qin Feng and the Eagle Faction officials were already mortal enemies.

If Qin Feng branded him an Eagle Faction affiliate, he'd be crushed without mercy.

To be wiped out so senselessly—how unjust.

Chen Tian, near tears, pleaded: "My Lord, even if you gave me a hundred more courage, I would never dare oppose you. Please rest assured—I'll go fetch that shrew and punish her in person."

Qin Feng lowered his hand, signaling Chen Tian to calm down.

"After all, she's your wife—you yourself said she's short-sighted. If I were too harsh, wouldn't that embarrass you?"

"County Magistrate Chen, I'll give you one more chance."

"Changshui County is only a day and night's journey from Wang Du—neither close nor far. If you can open the road between Changshui and Wang Du, I'll forget everything that's happened—how about that?"

Open the road?!

Chen Tian frowned deeply, confused by Qin Feng's true intent: "Forgive my stupidity, My Lord—what exactly do you mean by 'opening the road'?"